Manufacture of nitrophenylnitromethanes, their homologues and derivatives.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH KOETSCHET, OF LYON, AND ANDRE BARBI EB, OF ST. FONS; NEAR LYON,

FRANCE, ASSIGNORS TO SOOI'ETE CHIMIQUE DES USINES-DU RHONE, ANCIENNE- MEN'I' GILLIARD, P. MONNET ET CARTIER, OF PARIS, FRANCE, A CORPORATION OF FRANCE.

MANUFACTURE or NITROPHENYLNITROMETHANES, THEIR HOMOLOGUES AND DERIVATIVES.

No Drawing.

. of Lyon, France, and ANDRI BARRIER, of St.

Fons, near Lyon, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Manufacture of Nitrophenylnitromethanes, Their Homologues and Derivatives, of which the following is a specification.

It is known that the action of highly concentratednitric acid or of mixtures of nitric and sulfuric acid upon nitrotoluenes leads to a number of isomeric nitrotoluenes substituted in the nucleus (see Liebigs AnnaZen 155 (1870) page 25, and Be Vickie der Deutschen C'he'mischen Gescllschaft 27 1894) pages 2209 and 2210). On the other hand (see Berz'ckte der Deutschen Chem-ischen Gesellschaft 28 (1895) page 1860 and page 1864 lines 3-8) Konovalow has allowed weak nitric acid (20 per cent.) to act upon nitro toluenes with a view to obtaining nitro phenylnitromethanes. We have found that nitric acid of this concentrationv reacts with nitro toluenes only under pressure andat elevatedtemperature, and that this operation substantially yields ortho nitrobenzoic acid and greasy by-products; we were u'nable to find that nitrophenyl nithromethanes were formed in appreciable quantities in this way.

Contrary to the known art We have found that by employing a moderately strong or a strong nitric acid (for example 40-90 per cent), without pressure, so that the water liberated can readily escape and the acid be consequently kept within certain limits of concentration, it is possible to convert the nitro-toluenes, their homologues and substitution products (hereinafter included in the term bodies of the nitrotoluene type into the corresponding nitro phenyl nitro methanes in a manner which can be readily" carried out technically. Withorthonitrotoluene, for example, the valuable product came, -cn

a: I noon Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 4,1911.

Patented J an. 23, 1912. Serial No. 612,201.

The conditions which allow of confining the action of the nitric acid to the formation of nitrophenylnitromethanes and of avoidm the oxidation of these bodies and the formation of by-products are 1. The employment of as strong a nitric acidas possible, at the proper temperature. The degree of concentration of this acid is only limited by the possibility of nitration in the benzene nucleus. It is clear that a less strong acid can be employed if it is given an opportunity to concentrate in the course of the operation.

2. The employment of an excess of nitrotoluene. By suitably combining these con-- corresponding. to 60 per centper cent.

strength is gradually run. in, the same tem-' perature being maintained. The water formed and a portion of the nitric acid escape and are. taken up outsidefthe re action vessel. When the reaction is finished,

the product is Washed with water and the nitrobenzoic acid and nitrobenzaldehyde are extracted by treatment with sodium carbonate and sodium bisulfite solutions; The ortho nitrophenylnitromethane is then separated from excess nitrotoluene by prolonged extraction with caustic soda solution. After precipitation with an acid it is already pureand melts at about 67 -C. F

The isomeric, homologous and substituted nitrophenyl-nitromethanes can be obtained in a similar Way by treatment of the corresponding nitro toluenes, and are herein-x after included in the term bodies of the I nitrophenyl nitromethane type.

The following for example canbe obtained in a similar way From paranitrotoluene, nitro-methanem. p. 91 C.

From para-chlor-o-nitrotoluene, parachlor-o-nitrophenyl-nitromethane, m. p. 112 C.

From para-brom-o-nitro-toluene, para,-

paranitrophenyl brom-o-nitrophenyl-nitromethane, m. p.

I nitro phenylnitromethane, m. p. 64 C.

of the nitrophenylnitromethane type," concent. during the reaction. I Y

ofv the nitrophenylnitromethane type, con- From ortlio-chloro-nitrotoluene, orthochlor -o niti'o'- phe'nylnitromethane, n. 1),

From ortho'-.nitm-m-xylene, 3 methyl 6 nitroiphenylnitromethane,.m. p. 86.5 C. i

From ortho-nitro-m-xylene, 3 methyl 2,.

w sqle m. n Iietters Patentis 1. A processfor the manufacture of bodies I desire to by sisting in treating a body of the n-itrotoluene type with nitric acidandkeeping the acid at a concentration not below 40 per.

2. A process for the. manufacture of bodies sisting in treating a body of .thenitrotoluene type'with nitric-acid and keepingthe acid at a concentration not below 40' per cent. during the reaction, the body treated being employed in excess relatively to the nitric acid which enters into reaction, substantially as described.

- 3. A process for the manufacture of bodies 1 of the nitrophenylnitromethane type, consisting in" treating a' body of the nitrotoluene typewith nitric acid of about 40-90 percent. stren h without pressure, removng the water liberated and maintaining the acid at'ia. strength not below 40 per cent.,

the bodytreated being employed in excess relatively to the nitric acid which entersinto reaction, substantially as, described.

4. A .process for the manufactureof .ortho nitro-phenyl nitro-methane,. consist ing in heatin ortho nitro toluene with nitric acid of a out 6080 per cent. strength, without pressure, and removing' the water liberated in the reaction.

5. A vprocess for the manufacture of ortho-nitro-phenyl nitromethane, consisting in heating ortho nitrotoluene in excess with nitric acid of about 60-80 per cent. strength, withoutpressure, and removing the water liberated in the reaction.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto signed our names in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

" j. JOSEPH KOETSCHET.

' v ANDRE BARB IER. I -..Witnesse's Bn roi'r PENARD,

. MARIQI ZVACHON..

Copies of. this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the commissionerof Patents,

Washington, D. 83' 

